The St. Croix River valley surrounding Dresser, Wisconsin features a diverse range of camping experiences within a short drive. Interstate State Park, straddling both Wisconsin and Minnesota sides of the river, serves as the region's centerpiece with dramatic river gorges and glacial potholes. Within 30 minutes of Dresser, campers can access established campgrounds like Willow River State Park with its waterfall views and Wild River State Park offering riverfront sites. The area balances developed facilities with more rustic options, including private campgrounds along the Apple River and farm-based camping experiences at places like Lily Springs Regenerative Farm. Most campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, with electrical hookups widely available at state park campgrounds.
Reservations are essential during summer weekends, particularly for waterfront sites at Interstate and William O'Brien State Parks. As one camper noted, "The hiking there is by far my favorite within an hour from the Twin Cities. Lots of cliffs and great views." Seasonal considerations affect the camping experience significantly, with mosquitoes becoming prevalent in summer months. According to visitor reviews, "The amount of mosquitos seemed higher than other Wisconsin locations." Cell service varies throughout the region, with T-Mobile coverage particularly spotty in some campgrounds. Many campgrounds maintain year-round operations, though amenities like showers may close during winter months. Firewood is typically available for purchase at campground offices or from roadside stands near park entrances.
River access represents a major draw for campers in the Dresser area. Several reviewers highlight the value of securing sites with direct river access, particularly at Interstate State Park's South Campground where sites 65 and 67 offer convenient kayak launching. One visitor observed that "the setting is spectacular in terms of breathtaking scenery, and myriad outdoor activities from rock climbing in the river gorge, paddling the river, hiking miles of trails." Site privacy varies considerably between campgrounds and even within loops. While some campgrounds feature spacious, well-separated sites, others have been described as "cramped" with limited screening between neighbors. Family-friendly amenities are common throughout the region, with clean facilities and well-maintained trails consistently mentioned in positive reviews.
$24 - $50 / night
"This is a state park on the Wisconsin side of the St Croix River, which is mirrored by a comparable but smaller state park in Minnesota on the wrst side of the river, both being part of the wild and scenic"
"Having grown up in Wisconsin I would visit the St Croix Falls side frequently. Swimming and hiking the bluff many an afternoon."
$23 - $90 / night
"Stayed for two nights at a drive-in double site here and found it ideal for autumn camping."
"We stayed in campsite 29 in the drive in campsite over Labor Day weekend."
$25 - $90 / night
"Easy walking trails surround the park which is nice and convenient. Close proximity to Stillwater which made for a nice day trip. Camp sites were very clean and easy to access."
"Our site was a non-electric site on the outside ring, with just a thin slip of woods and a hiking trail between us and the St. Croix river."
"There is a newly filled lake after the reconstruction of the dam. This is a non motorized lake for paddling, swimming and fishing."
"Fun to play in the water, go behind the waterfall and a good hike up 200 steps to view the falls from above!"
$44 - $75 / night
"These primitive sites are down a small dirt road away from the main RV camping area and are nicely wooded, but you can still see neighboring sites."
"The kids tried the bike trail that they could access right from the campground.
Plenty of space to social distance. We never felt uncomfortable and everything was really clean!"
$15 - $28 / night
"I had read somewhere that sites 65 and 67 had direct access to the river--true! But the path does come off the camp road and it really does serve the entire campground, so anyone can use it. "
"Beautiful sites but be careful when booking as some sites are very close to others. North campground is about 1/2 mile from downtown Taylor Falls via a bridge. So a quick walk to town is possible."
$35 - $65 / night
"We live in Minneapolis and love having this camp close to home, yet far enough to feel like we are up north. We come here a lot during the summer! The camp is rustic, in a good way."
"This is an awesome campground in a wooded setting just outside of the nearby town. Can't wait to come back!"
$70 / night
"Both the White Pine Meadow and the Lakeside Serenity sites are amazing and large. We wound up staying at the Lakeside site, which has a nice view of Mud Lake and one of the herds of goats."
TravelerWe stayed here with a group of hot tent campers in early January. The site is large and had a couple of fire pits. Includes a few picnic tables, and a pit toilet. It's a beautiful open area not far from the parking lot with a gorgeous view of the St. Croix River.
ScoutWe visited Avatan Nudist Campground last July with our two kids (ages 8 and 11) for what was supposed to be a wholesome, body-positive family getaway. The website and brochures paint a perfect picture: serene woods, a sparkling pool, family activities, and a "welcoming community" vibe. And on the surface? Yeah, the grounds are stunning—pristine trails, a well-maintained pool. The facilities are clean, the staff (mostly) polite, and the natural setting is genuinely relaxing. If you're just looking for a quiet spot to shed your clothes and unwind in nature, it checks those boxes.
But dig a little deeper, and Avatan reveals itself as something else entirely—a place that's quietly optimized for adult fun, with kids as an inconvenient footnote they have to tolerate to keep the "family" label. From the moment we arrived, it was clear the real energy was elsewhere. Evenings around the fire pits and at the "Squirrel's" (code for the bar area) had this unmistakable swinger-party undercurrent. Lots of lingering glances, couples disappearing into the woods or private cabins, and a vibe that felt more like a discreet resort for the lifestyle crowd than a spot for building sandcastles with the little ones. Our kids picked up on it fast—whispers about "grown-up games" and awkward questions we had to deflect. The camp "tolerates" families, sure, but it's obvious the core membership would prefer a child-free zone. Activities for kids are minimal: a basic playground and the occasional nature hike, while the adults get themed nights, "sensual yoga," and late-night mixers that go until dawn.
What really soured the experience was the toxic underbelly of the community itself. This place is a powder keg of power struggles, with a small cadre of long-time board members and "elders" locked in a perpetual cold war. Gossip flows like the creek itself—endless whispers about who's sleeping with whom, who's "stealing" prime cabin spots, or who's cozying up to the President for favors. We overheard more drama in one week than in a season of reality TV. Cliques form fast: the "party crew" vs. the "purists," the swingers vs. the swingers-who-pretend-they're-not. As newcomers (and parents, no less), we felt like outsiders crashing a private club. Smiles were surface-level; the second you stepped away, the backstabbing started.
And then there's the elephant in the (clothing-optional) room: the camp's ugly history with sexual predators. We didn't know it going in, but after a few days, the stories trickled out from sympathetic members—multiple incidents over the years involving members who turned out to be registered offenders or worse, preying on the vulnerable in this "trust-based" environment. The rules around anonymity are ironclad: no photos, no last names, "what happens at Avatan stays at Avatan." It's sold as protecting privacy in a nudist space, which sounds noble until you realize it shields the creeps. Anyone who dares speak up—whether it's a parent noticing a sketchy guy lingering too long near the kids' area or a survivor sharing a red flag—is immediately branded a "troublemaker," "paranoid," or "anti-community." We've heard of families getting shamed in group meetings, then quietly asked to leave for "disrupting the harmony." Evictions happen fast if you rock the boat, all in the name of keeping the peace and the paying members happy.
Look, we're no prudes. Nudism can be liberating, and we've been to other resorts where it felt truly inclusive and safe. But Avatan? It's a divided house built on denial. The adult-party atmosphere thrives because the kids are an afterthought, and the predator problem festers because calling it out gets you exiled. If you're a child-free couple into the full swinger scene, this might be your paradise—plenty of like-minded folks and zero judgment. But if you're a family hoping for that advertised "safe, empowering space"? Steer clear. Your kids deserve better than being tolerated in a place where silence is golden and the wrong questions get you blacklisted. We won't be back, and I hope this review saves someone else the regret.
RangerSo, I think you know what you are signing up for here when you stay camp at the backpacking site at Afton, but let me fill in some of the blanks. #1 yes, the hill climb is as big of an effort as other people have said. You will feel like you earned your dinner. I may have found a hack for this, but more in that later. #2 the site are mostly private. I stayed on site #12. I could see (and they could have seen me) site #9, but thankfully no one was there. That would have been a bummer to have other looking into my site. There is even a semi-worn path between 12 and 9. They would make a good combo if you have a group. Other than that, totally secluded. As far space at #12, you could build as big of a tent structure there as you would need, easily room for a massive 16’x24’ palace (if you would dare to carry it) or anything smaller. An Eagle Scout project built hammock posts at this site, so it is ideal for that set up. #3 the campground amenities are very nice. The solar powered water works great year round, the two pits toilets (if you can even call them that) are very new and nice. And the coolest campground feature is the cut your own firewood station. I went a little overboard since it was so nice and had a way bigger fire than I needed. Bring your own saw and you will love it too. #4 After walking around the park, I discovered a possible hack. There is an unmarked entrance to the park on the north side. Instead of walking all my gear back to the parking lot, I walked the .5 miles to the service entrance, dropped my pack, and then walked the 1.8 miles back to the parking lot. I tend to carry too much. The flat short walk to drop my gear was worth it. Then I drop around the park and picked up my stuff. Probably not MN DNR endorsed way to do it, but I was proud of my discovery. All in, this is a unique and wonderful camping experience. Highly recommend.
RangerI was looking for a secluded backpack in site where I could have a peaceful 48 hours of prayer and solitude, and this site was perfect! I also wanted one that wasn't too far remote, since I hadn't been on a proper backpacking trip since the pandemic hit. And as a solo female camper, I wanted a reserved site so that there would be a record of my location for safety reasons. I'm so glad I chose the Deer Creek site, and will almost definitely stay here again at some point!
This site is accessible by either hiking or canoe. It took me about 30 minutes to hike in from the visitor center parking lot. There is easy access to river water to boil or filter from the canoe landing.
This site was incredibly spacious. It includes a fire ring and picnic table overlooking the creek and river. It also includes 2 large tent pads (look out for widow makers, one of the tent pads is under a dead tree!). It also has a spot nestled in some pine trees that could fit a smaller tent, canoe storage, or I found it to be the perfect spot to hang my hammock! (This would be a great site for hammock camping.) So if you're camping with a small group of people this would be a great site. It also includes a trail to a fairly private latrine, and a bear box (the park ranger warned me that there are bears in the park although I did not see any.) I also found plenty of dead down and dry wood and birch bark on the ground for building fires.
This site is great for a one nigjt stay on a longer backpacking or canoeing trip, but also great for camping out at for a couple of nights. I stayed for two, and it connects to all the major trails in the park, so I was able to use it as a great base for hiking and seeing the beautiful changing leaves. In the morning I hiked North to do the Riverside trail and looped back through the woods. Then in the afternoon I did the Deer Creek loop, which is a shared horse and hiking trail. It was so nice to he able to hike out to some of the best trails in the park directly from my site.
This site felt remarkably remote for being only an hour from the twin cities and a mile from the parking lot! I stayed there Thursday -Saturday, and after leaving the parking lot on Thursday did not see another human being for the rest of the day, and Friday not until I hit the main trails! There was no one else staying within at least a mile of me. I was even able to see fantastic stars Friday night. There was amazing wildlife - a blue heron frequented the site, and I heard all types of owls. Two bald eagles had a nest across the river so I got to see and hear them the whole trip, too- it was absolutely magical!
This site has a great view of both sunrise and sunset. Thursday night there was a gorgeous sunset over the woods reflected in deer Creek. Both mornings I woke up to watch the sunrise while drinking my coffee next to the fire (it was freezing!!!). Watching the sun rise over the river and fog roll over th water and evaporate while eagles soared was truly magical. Having an easy backpack in site surrounded by water on two sides and with views of the sunrise and sunset like this was so incredible!!!
TravelerNever again, $81 for an electric only site. Come on Wisconsin let's jab the out of .staters. Entry fee to parks, extra for out of staters. The site was secluded but not close to level. Not close to the facilities. I am going back to SD. They don't add fees because you are from out of town, they actually encourage out of state tourists. Last trip to a Wisconsin state park . And the showers were closed for the season, this is 10/9/25. But still full price and just an electric only site. No thanks Wisconsin
GuideInterstate State Park has some nice features, but overall it wasn’t my favorite. Many of the exterior loop sites have river access, which was a highlight, and we didn’t have to deal with mosquitoes thanks to being right on the water. The nearby towns are also very charming and worth exploring.
That said, the campground is small and very crowded, likely because it’s so close to the Cities and popular with canoe rentals. Expect a lot of traffic noise, and in the fall, migrating geese can be very loud (which didn’t bother me, but might for some). The ranger office had limited hours, and since firewood is locked up, there’s no self-serve option. Another downside: a riverboat cruises by frequently, blasting music in the evenings and giving tours during the day.
The sites are close together, with RVs and tents mixed on one loop, so generator noise is common. It wasn’t a terrible stay, but just too small and busy for my preference—I don’t think I’d return.
Best sites seemed to be 21 (great river views, less private), 23 (fun detached tent pad), and 18 (most private). Sites 4–5 were also lovely but close to the bathrooms and camp host, so expect more foot traffic.
TravelerSites are a little close with little to no privacy in most. Fun little trails nearby for an afternoon walk. Reservation system is weird and the sites are much bigger than they say. All rv sites are the listed length plus 16’ for your tow vehicle, which you need to call to find out.
LegendThis is a beautiful park and the campsites for the most part all seem spacious, and the loop we were in (whichever one site 52 is in) all had decent tree cover.
The bathroom facility has seen better days. The nature center is nice and a great place to spend some time if it is raining during their open hours.
GuideAbout a dozen sites with picnic tables on a grassy large circle. About half or more have electric hookups. Toilets are a short walk past the campground entrance.
Interstate State Park straddles both sides of the St. Croix River at the Wisconsin-Minnesota border near Dresser, Wisconsin, with the Wisconsin side featuring glacial potholes and basalt rock formations formed 1.1 billion years ago. The camping area sits at approximately 740 feet above sea level, with two distinct campgrounds on the Wisconsin side - North Campground near town and South Campground closer to the river. River access points vary throughout the region with specific launches designated for kayaks and canoes.
Rock climbing and bouldering: The dramatic rock walls at Interstate State Park provide climbing opportunities unique to this region. One visitor noted, "The draw here is the potholes, but we will get to that... Very cool to take the quick hike through the maze of small trails that show off these crazy formations. Some are so big that they still to this day have no idea how deep they go."
Paddling the St. Croix: Several access points allow for kayak and canoe launching, particularly at South Campground. A camper reported, "Sites 65 and 67 had direct access to the river--true! But the path does come off the camp road and it really does serve the entire campground. It's about 350' from the camp road to the small beach, which provides a perfect launch point for kayaks onto the St. Croix."
Winter camping and activities: Cold weather camping options exist at Wild River State Park, where winter activities include snowshoeing and skiing on groomed trails. One winter camper shared, "The campsite was plowed out and had a nice spot for the tent. The park is huge and beautiful. We snowshoed and skied. The candlelight ski was great and the routes were marked with different colored luminaries - for hiking and skiing."
Secluded walk-in sites: For those seeking greater privacy, certain campgrounds offer walk-in or backpacking options. At Wild River State Park, a camper described their experience: "I was looking for a secluded backpack in site where I could have a peaceful 48 hours of prayer and solitude, and this site was perfect! This site was incredibly spacious. It includes a fire ring and picnic table overlooking the creek and river."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campers report frequent wildlife encounters throughout the area. One visitor at Wild River State Park shared: "We saw sooooo many deer some even walking right through campsites! You can hear coyotes, raccoons and very loud owls. There was amazing wildlife - a blue heron frequented the site, and I heard all types of owls. Two bald eagles had a nest across the river."
Fall colors and changing seasons: The hardwood forests surrounding Dresser provide exceptional fall color viewing. A camper at William O'Brien State Park mentioned: "There were so many different kinds of birds, and the wildflowers were blooming and ferns were unfurling -so many shades of green! This was the first really nice spring weather, and the Savanna Campground was quite full."
Campsite size and privacy vary significantly: Sites at many campgrounds near Dresser have limited separation. One camper at William O'Brien State Park observed: "Compared to Wild River State Park, the sites at Savannah are pretty cramped with inconsistent vegetation between sites. I wouldn't want to stay here when the loop is fully reserved."
Traffic and noise considerations: Proximity to highways affects some camping experiences. A reviewer of Interstate Park noted: "This site is on the overpass side so there was vehicle noise or varying volume the whole time." Another camper mentioned: "The power loop runs right along a 4-lane highway, which you can't really see but for sure will hear."
Midweek availability advantages: Sunday through Thursday bookings offer better availability and quieter camping. A visitor shared: "My first time solo camping was at William O'Brien State Park on a Sunday evening. Weekends have been packed and reservations scarce for months at state parks in Minnesota. Arriving on a Sunday afternoon was a dream—very few people in the campground loop."
Playgrounds and kid-friendly facilities: Several campgrounds offer dedicated recreation areas for children. At Camp Waub-O-Jeeg, a camper reported: "It is a kid friendly campground. I often see kids meeting each other from different sites and then hanging out and playing games together. There are nice playgrounds on both the A and B hill."
Water activities for various ages: Accessible water recreation options appeal to families with children of different ages. A visitor to Wildwood RV Park & Campground shared: "We went canoeing and kayaking and they provided a shuttle right from their main office. The kayaking/canoeing was an amazing adventure that everyone should try. It was even great for kids 3 and 6."
Site selection for family needs: Consider specific site features when camping with children. One family noted at Wild River State Park: "Our campsite was on the farthest loop and was very private! This seems to be the hot spot for horses and if we go back I definitely want to do the horseback riding right outside the park!"
Electric sites and hookup challenges: RVers should verify the specific amperage available before arrival. A camper at Big Rock Creek shared this experience: "The electricity was not for a 30 amp hook up. It's 50 amp or use an adapter. We used the adapter and blew a circuit breaker when we used the A/C and the microwave at the same time."
Road conditions within campgrounds: Several campgrounds have challenging access roads. One camper cautioned: "The roads are rough in spots. A lot of the negative reviews about this campground come from people who encounter issues trying to drive through here with campers. The road to the sites named after birds was rough and I was nervous that I would bottom out going up the hill."
Dump station and water fill options: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups or convenient dump stations. A visitor noted: "Water nearby at stations. Large campsites, most with thick wooded areas between the sites." Another camper mentioned, "Clean facilities are mediocre, but passable."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Dresser, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, Dresser, WI offers a wide range of camping options, with 145 campgrounds and RV parks near Dresser, WI and 7 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Dresser, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Dresser, WI is Interstate State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 52 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Dresser, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 free dispersed camping spots near Dresser, WI.
What parks are near Dresser, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 parks near Dresser, WI that allow camping, notably Saint Croix National Scenic River and Eau Galle Lake.
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